Setswana name: Kgori Scientific name: Ardeotis kori Size:105 - 150 cm

Kori Bustard

Description

This bird is known as the heaviest flying bird in Botswana. Its large size and crested head make it very easy to identify. Male and female Koru Bustard are differentiated only by their size; female being 20% smaller than its male counterpart.  Kori Bustard has light brown feathers and black spots on white feathers on its underbelly.

Voice

The most distinct Kori Bustard call by is made by the males when in courtship and is described as ‘ wum,wum,wum,wum, wuuuumm.’

Behaviour and habitat

These birds can be seen roaming alone,  in pairs or groups in woodland areas, grassy plains and Kalahari scrub. Kori Bustard has a slow, majestic walk and although it is never too quick to take flight, these birds are very strong fliers. They prefer to walk/ run away from danger and only fly when it is absolutely necessary.

Quite a sight to see are Kori Bustards walking in a group because they walk in a straight line across the veld in search of food.

Due to over hunting the kori bustard population dramatically dropped, but since the introduction of conservation laws the kori is a protected species. And they are abundant in numbers, especially in conservation areas